I was just curious are there any suprises I need to know about with the gs.  I have had mine for about a month.  So far I love the bike.  The only problems I have had are with the chain adjusting system.  I bent the backing plates and had to beef them up with a piece of steel.  Other than that are there any suprises the bike is going to throw at me that I need to know about?

What year bike do you have?  I know on mine, and I think even on the newer ones....there's a fuel starvation problem at high-way speeds.  I just flip to PRI before I get on the highway and there's no prob. at all.  You should get pretty comfortable working the fuel swith while you're riding.  You never know when you're gonna have to put it into Reserve.  Also, the stock suspension is really, really crappy, unless you're a light weight.  Trading out the front suspension to progressive springs is pretty popular, but I think I'm liking the sonic springs or racetech springs.  If you search for either of these you'll come up w/ a ton of info.  Also the rear suspension is usually switched out to a kat. rear shock.  That's all I can really think off the top of my head.   

Dorianfes

Not much to worry about, like everything it will depend on age and miles, most common "characteristic" is rust in the tank.

It is an 06 GS500f.  So far I haven't had the fuel starvation problem and I have ridden on the highway a lot.  I usually cruise between 60 and 90 depending on traffic and so far it hasn't been an issue.  I have put 1,100 miles on it already.  I have changed the oil and lubbed and adjusted the chain.  So far all is well except for the crappy chain adjusting system and bending the backing plates.  Thanks for the heads up!

no surprises except how much better the bike can be with upgraded suspension and an exhaust system thats the only surprise.

just as wilson says
suspension, upgrade your rear if you do nothing else to your bike, i recomend the sv650 rear shock, most others will recomend the gsx katana rear end
enjoy the bike

I am a small guy just under 120...(cross country runner in highschool) so I am thinking I am pretty well off with my stock springs and rear shock....what do you guys think?

love the lighting choice.                           about the switch to prime on highway... . my mechanic said to never do that.  it causes excessive fuel to be forced into the motor and fouls up the plugs.  so unless you want to change your plugs all the time and eventually cause early death to your brand new bike,, i suggest not using prime other then really cold start up, or the first ride after winter,,,,,,,,

maybe you dont have winter, i dont know where you are..

just what i heard .. and IMHO


weaver

It really has nothing to do with extra fuel being "forced" into the carbs.  The petcock is opened by the intake vacuum normally but the "PRI" setting allows the fuel to flow even if the engine is not running (i.e. no vacuum).  In my simple minded opinion, your mechanic is crazy.

-Turd.

turd is prob. right           


im just the messenger.     (of bad advice)


weaver

Quote from: seaheifer on July 24, 2006, 08:50:36 PM
I am a small guy just under 120...(cross country runner in highschool) so I am thinking I am pretty well off with my stock springs and rear shock....what do you guys think?

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I'm on the vertically challenged side as well 5'5 and 120 and believe me the standard suspension is still garbage we are actually to small to make the standard suspension work properly as I found out on a couple of rides even with adjusting rear spring the only time I would say it was good was with an extra 30kg+ on the back because the weight actually made it work when I changed my front and rear suspension it worked wonders the front dosen't bottom out if you look at it and I can now adjust rear dampening which makes the back actually work for me, now its all pretty firm but I like it that way mind you if your just riding to the shops and back or to work it will be fine but if you want to step up and ride fast (for a GS) the standard suspension will soon tie itself in knots.
Also firmer springs in the front will work wonders for your braking power (less dive under brakes).
So to sum up yes change the suspension its well worth it also pipe, filter and dyno tune also work wonders but thats another story

So would you suggest just changing the shock or the entire swingarm?

Nah Turd is wrong, your mechanic isn't crazy, he's a moron.    Like Turd said, the difference between On/Res and Pri is On/Res requires there to be an engine vacuum for the valve to open, while Pri the valve is always open. 

In theory, they should both flow the same when the engine is running, but in practice the fuel flow is restricted a little when it is set to On/Res which is why people suggest switching to Pri when you need all the fuel flow you can get. 

I wonder if they fixed this problem with the newer bikes.  I've cruised on my '05 for well over and hour at ~90 MPH with no problems 

I'm thinking that the fuel flow problem has been fixed on the new bikes.  I have ridden my bike for miles at 90 with no problems.  I did 108 for a short stretch just to see what she would do and there were no problems. 

had mine for a year and a month. runs better than when I bought it new 

I have an 06 and I believe I've had the fuel starvation problem before.  I was fairly high on the mileage but I shouldn't have needed to switch to reserve yet.

Quote from: seaheifer on July 24, 2006, 11:59:55 PM
So would you suggest just changing the shock or the entire swingarm?

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Just the shock

 I've had no fuel starvation problems on my 05', and have a 27 mile stretch that I do about 80-85 mph(indicated) of my 50 mile ride to work. 

All of this talk about changing shocks, springs, and such is all about preference. This isn't a GS suprise. The gas tank rusting is a GS trait, but that is obviously not a concern of yours since it isn't a 90's model. I installed progressive springs and a katana rear shock, but it all depends on how you ride. If you decide to get aggressive, and gain weight, then it may be an option. I rode very relaxed and easy early on, so I didn't need it. I don't know if I even need it now. I guess it is just a warm fuzzy to know that my bike won't fail me, only I will.

How about running lean? Has that been adjusted for the new models? If not, that is an issue. rejetting is a great choice. It was the biggest mod I had done to my bike. Night and day. It went from a 5 - 10 minute warmup to instant. GREAT CHOICE. I also got a K & N filter and exaust to complete the circuit.

Overall, it is a simple bike to maintain. Thats what I love about it.

  -Anti 

That's definately NOT normal that you're having fuel starvation issues on the highway. I don't beat my bike up but I have "maxed" her out a few times just to see what she had and I've never had an issue with fuel starvation on my 05. I don't think that's normal on any bike... You should check into WHY it's getting starved because that can be dangerous under the right circumstances.